Use of selected oleophilic ethers in water-based drilling fluids of the O/W emulsion type and corresponding drilling fluids with improved ecological acceptability

US6596670B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignees

• Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG · DE
• Baroid Limited · GB

Inventors

• Heinz Mueller · Monheim, DE
• Claus-Peter Herold · Mettmann, DE
• Stephan von Tapavicza · Erkrath, DE
• Gerhard Stoll · Winnenden, DE
• Rainer Jeschke · Goldkronach, DE
• Johann F. Fues · Grevenbroich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 3, 1993
• Grant date: Jul 22, 2003
• Expiry date: Mar 3, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C09K8/26
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The use is disclosed of at least substantially water-insoluble ethers which are fluid and/or at least plastically deformable at working temperature and have flash points of at least 80° C., of mono- and/or polyfunctional alcohols of natural and/or synthetic origin or corresponding solutions of such ethers in ecologically acceptable water-insoluble oils as the dispersed oil phase of water-based O/W-emulsion drilling fluids which are suitable for the environmentally acceptable development of geological formations and which contain, if desired, insoluble, finely particulate weighting agents for the formation of water-based O/W-emulsion drilling muds and/or further additives, such as emulsifiers, fluid-loss additives, wetting agents, alkali reserves and/or auxiliary substances for the inhibition of drilled rock of high water-sensitivity.